Ice cream manufacture



Patented Apr. 24,1951

me i

ICE CREAM MANUFACTURE John W. Knejcht'ges', Chicago, 111., assignor, by

.mesne assignments, to Swift & Company, a cor poration of Illinois No Drawing; Application June 5, 1947',

-. Serial No. 752,833

c claims, (01. 99-131)" This invention relates in general to a method. of making improved food products andmore particularly to a method of makingimproved frozen food products containing Whole-fruit.

'When attempting to prepare a smooth, palatable, and eye appealing ice cream product containing the whole fruit, considerable difficulty is encounteredbecause the fruit and the juice thereofgtend to become cr stalline during the freezing operation and subsequent storage period. To partially overcome this difiiculty, it has been standard practice to avoid putting the whole fruit into the freezer.

f Frequently a' uree of the fruit is made, and either added to the ice cre m inix prior to freezing or injected into the ice creain'after freezing by means of a fruit'feeder. fruit does not have the same eye appeal' as the whole fruit, some ice cream manufacturers add part of the fruit in the pureed form and part in the whole form, This latter 'method, however, is not entirely satisfactory, since part of the de sired eye appealing quality is lost and an objectionable amount of crystallization in the whole fruit is still evident. V

According toanother method of handling fruit for use in a continuous process for manufactu'r ing ice cream, the'fruit juice isseparated from Q the fruit and the juice discarded. While this practice may reduce the amount of crystallization somewhat, much of the flavor is thereby lost and certain of thesoluble vitamins are also lost. Moreover, despite this latter practice the 'whole fruit still becomes crystalline. I

Attempts have been made to overcome the foregoing and other, objections by adding certain homogenizing substances to the ice cream mix which mayormay not contain fruit and the juice thereof. These processes,- 'however, fail to provide a, satisfactorymethod of stabilizing the whole fruit so as to substantially eliminate the formation of ice crystals in the frozen product containing Whole fruit.

- An object of this invention is to provide a method of preparing an improved frozen food product containing whole fruit whereby the frmation of ice crystals in the frozen product is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide 'a method of preparing animproved whole fruit flavored ice cream product having superior smoothness, flavor, appearance, and natural vitamin content;

A Still another object of this invention is to provide a method of treating whole fruit and the Since the pureed;

2 juice thereof which are of frozen food products whereby the formation of ice crystals in the frozen products is eliminated. U

Further objects of this invention will become apparent from" the description and claims which follow.

juice product is then ready for use'and may be It has been discovi'edthat an improved frozen food product such as ice cream containing whole fruit as an ingredient thereof may be prepared by treating the whole fruit prior to addingthe fruit to the ice cream according tothe present invention. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the fruit juice is first separated from the whole fruit by screening'or' by any conventional method which does notpulpor crush the whole fruit. To a quantity of the separated juice at least suflicient to cover the whole fruit is added a mixture consisting of approximately flfl per cent to 3.0 per cent of a gel-forming substance calculated on the weight of the combined fruit, juice, and added sugar. The gel-forming substanceis admixed with approximately 5 parts of sugar for each part of the gelforming substance in order to aid in dispersing thegel-formingwb stance throughout the juice. The juice and gelforming mixture are heated to not more than 200 F; and preferably below 180 F, until-the gelforming substance is evenly dispersedthrougm out the juice. The additional sugar necessary. to produce the desired flavor is preferably added subsequent to the heating step in order to obtain the desired dispersion and gel consistency. The stabilized juice is then poured over the whole fruit so as to coverthe fruit and the mixture is preferably kept in a, cooler overnight or until-a slight gel structure is formed. The stabilized fruit and used, for example, in a batch or continuous process for the manufacture of ice cream or other frozen food product;

In the manufacture of ice cream according to the present invention the'sugared whole fresh fruit is allowed to stand or the whole processed fruit in the form of a fruit pack, such as the 4+ 1 or 4 plus 1 fruit pack, is allowed to fully de;

frost so that a substantial amountof fruit juiice syrup is formed. Those skilled in the art under i stand that a 4+1 fruit pack consistsof four; parts of fruit for one part of sugar; orin other: words, the mixtureconsists of approximately 20- The fruit and juice are then, stabilized according to; th method outlined, and

per cent sugar.

. the stabilized products are added'to an ice cream used in the manufacture 7 3 mix which may be frozen in a batch or continuous freezer.

Although it is possible to incorporate the combined stabilized juice and fruit directly in the ice cream mix or subsequently through the fruit feeder, a superior product is obtained if the stabilized juice is separated from the stabilized whole fruit. The stabilized juice is then added to the basic ice cream mix in the univat and the stabilized whole fruit is added to the frozen ice cream through the fruit feeder. By adding the stabilized fruit and juice in the foregoing manner, all of the stabilizer customarily contained in the basic mix can be incorporated into the ice cream by means of the stabilized juice. In this manner an ice cream of greatly improved consistency and flavor is produced. I

The amount of stabilized fruit and juice added 7 to the ice cream varies with the kind of fruit used and the type of product desired. It has been found, however, that when approximately thirty pounds of combined stabilized fruit and juice are used for every ten gallons of basic ice cream mix, a highly satisfactory product is obtained. When adding the stabilized fruit and juice separately, care should be exercised in adding the juice and whole fruit in approximately the same proportions as these are obtained from the stabilization process.

Just as with the wide variation permissible with the amount of stabilized fruit and juice employed, the composition of the basicrmix may vary depending on the type of product desired. A typical compositionof a basic ice cream mix which may be employed with the stabilized whole fruit and juice is as follows:

14.1% milk fat 9.5% milk solids, not fat 13.0% sucrose 6.0% corn sugar If desired, a fruit color may beadded to this mix along with the stabilized juice.

The following specific examples will further illustrate the present invention but should not be construed to'limit the scopethereof:

Emample I and mixture are then heated to approximately- 160 F. and held at this temperature for approximately 10 minutes in order to hydrate and thoroughly disperse the carrageen throughout the juice. Additional sugar is then dissolved in the juice to make the final sugar content equivalent to that of a 2+1 pack. The mixture is then cooled to approximately 90 F. and the stabilized strawberry juice is poured over the whole strawberries. The combined whole berries and stabilized juice are placed in a cooler at approximately 28 to 33 F. and allowed toremain for approximately 24 hours; whereupon a slight gel or set is formed. The stabilized fruit and juice are then separated and may be added to a freezer. From the 100 pounds of sta ilized 4 strawberries and juice approximately '70 per cent juice and 30 per cent whole berries are obtained. The stabilized whole fruit and juice are preferably added at a rate of 21 pounds of stabilized juice to the mix and 9 pounds of stabilized fruit by means of a fruit feeder for every 10 gallons of basic ice cream mix. A smooth ice cream product results which is substantially free of objectionable crystallization.

Example II 50 pounds of 3+1 pack whole raspberries and the juice thereof are separated into juice and the fruit 'by any of the conventional methods which do not crush the whole berry. To the sep arated juice, heated to 180 F., is then added approximately 0.35 pound of carob gum mixed with approximately 1.5 pounds of sugar so as to more easily disperse the gum throughout the juice. Additional sugar may be added if desired. The whole raspberries are then covered with the stabilized juice which is allowed to remain in con tact with the fruit for approximately 16 hours; whereupon the juice and berries form a slight gel. The raspberries and juice are now stabilized and may be added to a freezer as desired.

Example III 25 pounds of 3+1 peach pack were strained and the juice heated to F. About 0.10 pound of carrageen was added and the mixture heated to F. The stabilized juice was then poured back over the peaches, stirred well and permitted to stand in a cooler overnight. Approximately 18.5 pounds of stabilized peaches are used for every 10 gallons of ice cream mix.

The carrageen extract employed in the preferred embodiment of the invention is the conventional extract of Irish moss containing added alkali metal salts, such as potassium chloride, for the purpose of delaying the time of set of the gel and increasing the internal strength and texture of the said gel. As the Irish moss extract hydrates completely at relatively low temperatures (MO-150 F.) and complements the fruit flavor, its use as a stabilizer is most desirable. As little as 0.2 per cent carrageen may be employed to stabilize the whole fruits and the juices thereof.

Although the carrageen product is particularly efiective in the present process, many gums or gum-like substances are satisfactory and may be employed in the said process. Thus, for example, the following gums or gum-likesubstances have the property of forming a slight gel when used within the specified limits and may be employed in the present invention: gelatin,- pectin, carrageen, Irish moss, carob gum, gum karaya, sodium alginate, gum arabic, alginic acid. and other substances having properties equivalent to the foregoing substances. It is also possible to use a mixture of any of the foregoing substances or their equivalents,

ages opts The use of gelatin as a stabilizer to "set the juice issometimes difficult to handle in the prob ess'ing bi certain fruits, such as strawberries, because of the tendency to developfa rubbery consistency.

Although it is preferable to heat the fruit juice and gel-forming substance in orderto speed dispersion and hydration of the-ge1'-rcrmingsubstance, it is not necessary in every ul-stance to heat the juice since some gel-forming substances, such as gum karaya, hydrate at a relatively low temperature. When the separated juice and gum mixture is heated, it is preferablenot to heat the substances above 180 F. since at higher temperatures the flavor suffers.

Although the invention has been particularly concernedwith a method of preparing whole fruit for use in ice cream, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the: preparation of ice cream products but may be used for and is intended to be applied in related arts wherein Whole fruit or vegetables and parts thereof are used in the preparation of frozen food products.

In the specification and claims which follow the term whole fruit orwhole vegetable is intended to include both the whole, uncrushed fruit or vegetable and also pieces out therefrom which are not crushed or pureed.

Likewise, in the specification and claims which follow, wherever the term slight gel or set appears, it is intended to indicate a perceptible thickening of the liquid to form a somewhat heavy, viscous, syrup-like mass which may be readily handled and separated from the whole fruit if desired. It is not necessary nor desirable that a firm gelatinous mass be formed.

As described, the invention provides a greatly improved process for preparing a smooth, frozen food product containing whole fruit or parts thereof wherein the fruit does not form a crystalline structure.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and, therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A process of treating sweetened whole fruit used in frozen confection products, which comprises separating the fresh uncooked whole fruit from the fruit juice syrup formed when the said fruit is sweetened, dispersing throughout the fruit juice syrup a gel-forming substance, combining the fruit juice syrup containing the gel-forming I substance with the whole fruit, and maintainng the gel-containing fruit juice syrup in contact with the said whole fruit until a slight gel is formed, whereupon the said fruit when introduced into a frozen confection Will not have objectionable ice crystals in said fruit.

2. A process of treating sweetened whole fruit used in frozen confection products, which comprises separating the fresh uncooked whole fruit from the fruit juice syrup formed when the said fruit is sweetened, adding to the fruit juice syrup a gel-forming substance to stabilize said fruit juice syrup, heating the said fruit juice syrup not substantially above 200 F. to hasten the hydration and dispersion of the gel-forming substance throughout the said syrup, combining the previously separated whole fruit with the stabilized fruit juice syrup, and maintaining the said whole fruit in contact with the gel-containing fruit juice syrup until a slight gel is formed; whereupon thefrruit is stabilized against the r rrn'ati' fn of objectionable ice ys'tals when the said fruit is incorporated in said frozen confection.

3. A process of treating sweetened whole fruit used in frozen confection products, which comprises separating th'e sweetened fresh uncooked whole fruit from the fruit juice syrup formetl when the said fruit is sweetened, adding to the fruit juice syrup at least approximately 0.2 per cent of a gel-forming substance calculated on the weight of the sweetened fruit and fruit juice syrup, heating said fruit juice syrup and gelforming substance not substantially above 200 F. to disperse the gel-forming substance throughout said syrup, combining the said whole fruit withthe stabilized fruit juice syrup so that the said fruit is immersed in said fruit juice syrup, and maintaining the said whole fruit in contact with the gel-containing fruit juice syrup'until a slight gel is formed; whereupon the whole fruit is stabilized against the formation of objectionable ice crystals when the said fruit is incorporated in said frozen confection.

4. A process of treating sweetened-whole fruit used in frozen confection products, which comprises separating the partially sweetened fresh uncooked whole fruit from the fruit juice syrup formed when the said fruit is sweetened; adding to the fruit juice syrup between approximately 0.2 per cent and 3.0 per cent of a gel-forming substance based on the total weight of the said fruit, fruit juice syrup, and total sugar employed to sweeten the said fruit and form the fruit juice syrup; heating said fruit juice syrup and gelforming substance to a temperature not substantially above 200 F. to uniformly disperse the gelforming substance through said syrup; adding additional sugar to the said juice in order to sweeten to the desired degree; cooling the stabilized fruit juice syrup below approximately F.; combining the said whole fruit with the stabilized fruit juice syrup so that the said fruit is immersed in said fruit juice syrup; and maintaining the said Whole fruit in contact with the cool gel-containing fruit juice syrup until a slight gel is formed; whereupon the fruit is stabilized against the formation of objectionable ice crystals when the said fruit is incorporated in said frozen confection.

5. A process of treating sweetened whole fruit used in frozen confection products, which comprises separating the sweetened fresh uncooked whole fruit from the fruit juice syrup formed when the said fruit is sweetened, adding to the fruit juice syrup between approximately 0.2 and 3.0 per cent carrageen calculated on the weight of the combined fruit and fruit juice syrup, heating said fruit juice syrup and carrageen to a temperature not substantially above 200 F., cooling the carrageen-containing fruit juice syrup below approximately 100 F., combining the separated fruit with the stabilized fruit juice syrup so that the said fruit is immersed in saidfruit juice syrup, and maintaining the said whole fruit in contact with the cooled carra'geen-containing fruit juice syrup until a slight gel is formed.

6. In a process of treating fruit, the steps which comprise: dispersing through the fruit juice syrup formed when fresh uncooked whole fruit is sweetened a gel-forming substance which causes the fruit juice syrup to form a heavy viscous syrup on standing, and maintaining the fresh whole uncooked fruit immersed in said gel-containing heavy viscous syrup without destroying the fresh uncooked appearance of said fruit so that the 7 8 fruit becomes stabilized against the-formation of UNITED STATES PATENTS objectionable ice crystals when frozen. Number Name Date JOHN KNECHTGES- 2,002,963 Schade May 28, 1935 2,097,225 Green et a1 Oct. 26, 1937 REFERENCES. CITED 5 2,427,594 Frieden et a1. Sept. 1a, 1947 The following references are of record in the 7 me of this patent: OTHER REFERENCES Ser. No. 296,157, Herlow (A. P. 0.), published May 4, 1943. 

1. A PROCESS OF TREATING SWEETENED WHOLE FRUIT USED IN FROZEN CONFECTION PRODUCTS, WHICH COMPRISES SEPARATING THE FREST UNCOOKED WHOLE FRUIT FROM THE FRUIT JUICE SYRUP FORMED WHEN THE SAID FRUIT IS SWEETENED, DISPERSING THROUGHOUT THE FROUT FUICE SYRUP A GEL-FORMING SUBSTANCE, COMBINING THE JUICE SYRUP CONTAINING THE GEL-FORMING SUBSTANCE WITH THE WHOLE FRUIT, AND MAINTAINING THE GEL-CONTAINING FRUIT JUICE SYRUP IN CONTACT WITH THE SAID WHOLE FRUIT UNTIL A SLIGHT GEL IS FORMED, WHEREUPON THE SAID FRUIT WHEN INTRODUCED INTO A FROZEN CONFECTION WILL NOT HAVE OBJECTIONABLE ICE CRYSTALS IN SAID FRUIT. 